Start the Year Strong: How to Introduce Your PTO/A Board With Style

Back-to-school season isn’t just about sharpening pencils and stocking up on snacks—it’s a fresh start for your entire school community. It’s the perfect time to build excitement, set the tone for the year, and show families that your PTO or PTA is ready to make things happen. One of the best ways to do that? Introduce your board in a way that’s more than just names and titles. When families get to know the people behind the scenes—the planners, the budgeters, the cheerleaders, and the chaos-managers—they’re more likely to feel connected, engaged, and even inspired to join the fun. Whether you’re planning a post for social media, creating content for your email newsletter, or setting up an in-person display at Meet the Teacher Night, here are some playful, personality-packed ways to introduce your PTO/A board and start the year off strong.

PTO Superheroes Theme

Your board does a lot—so why not introduce them as the heroes they are?

Assign each member a superhero identity based on their role:

• Captain Calendar – keeping events on track
• Budget Boss – master of all things money
• The Fundraiser Flash – sprinting toward donation goals
• Snack Pack Leader – always stocked, always ready
• The Volunteer Whisperer – makes signups magically appear

Make it extra fun:
Go all out with superhero flair—grab dollar-store capes, paper masks, or even customize T-shirts with your school logo and each member’s superhero alias. Pose your board members in action shots: standing heroically with clipboards, wielding coffee mugs, or striking a “ready to plan” stance in front of the school.

You can post these as a carousel on Instagram, include them in your welcome-back email to families, or print them as posters to display at Meet the Teacher Night. Add speech bubbles or comic-book-style captions for even more fun. Feeling extra creative? Turn the photos into a video montage with superhero theme music and narration introducing each “hero” as they strike their pose—perfect for your school’s YouTube or Facebook page and in your email newsletter!

Match the Fact Game

Let families guess who’s who on your board based on quirky facts.

Step-by-step:

1. Collect a fun, unexpected fact from each board member (e.g., “Has seven cats,” “Once met Beyoncé,” “Owns more PTO T-shirts than shoes”).
2. Have another PTO member or your school principal read the facts aloud—or write them out with question marks in a graphic.
3. Ask families to match the fact to the right person before revealing each board member and their role.

Share on: Instagram Stories with polls, Facebook posts, or printed guessing sheets at an event.

Guess Who? Throwback Photos

Highlight the real people behind the roles with a fun “Then vs. Now” challenge.

How it works:

• Ask each board member to send in a baby photo or favorite childhood picture.
• Create a slideshow, Instagram carousel, or bulletin board that features all the photos side-by-side.
• Invite families to guess who’s who, then reveal current photos with their PTO role.

You could also include short quotes about their favorite school memory or why they joined the PTO. Extra tip: Make it a game—any parent who gets the most guesses correct wins a small prize like spirit wear, a coffee gift card, or early sign-up for an event! You’ll boost engagement and make the whole thing even more memorable.

Behind the Clipboard: Spotlight Series

Let families get to know your board members one at a time with a fun, quick Q&A. This series helps put friendly, familiar faces to each role—and shows there’s a real (and relatable!) person behind every budget, signup sheet, and Fun Run.

Feature ideas:

• Name + PTO/A Role
• Why they joined the PTO/A
• Favorite snack
• One fun fact
• A personal goal or favorite quote for the year

Best for: Weekly Instagram or Facebook posts, a feature in your email newsletter, or even your bulletin board during the first few weeks of school. You could also take it up a notch by filming short 15–30 second video interviews! Ask the same quick-fire questions in each one, and share as Reels, TikToks, or Stories to boost engagement and bring your board members’ personalities to life.

What’s In Their Bag?

This lighthearted series is super relatable—especially for parents who know the chaos of juggling calendars, coffee, and crayons all in one tote.

What to do: Ask each board member to snap a flat-lay photo or record a 15-second video of the real, unfiltered contents of their bag before a PTO/A meeting or school event. No staging required—half the fun is in the mess!

Use for: Weekly Reels or Stories on Instagram or Facebook. Record the fun and create a lasting place for people to see the board members in a “What’s in My Bag?” story highlight on social. Make it a recurring feature in your PTO/A newsletter or bulletin board – especially great for the first couple weeks of school.

Make it interactive:

• Turn it into a guessing game: “Whose bag is this?”
• Post a poll with fun options for families to choose from
• Invite reactions: “Which item surprised you most?” or “Which bag is most like yours?”

This is a simple, low-effort way to show personality, get parents engaged, and bring some fun to your feed—without adding more to your team’s already full plate during the back-to-school rush.

Introduce Your PTO/A Board: Start Strong, Stay Connected

Back-to-school season sets the tone for the rest of the year—and when your PTO/A starts with a little fun, families notice. Introduce your PTO/A board and do more than just put names to faces. These creative ideas help your board come alive in the eyes of your school community. Whether you’re donning superhero capes, sharing childhood photos, or showing off what’s in your bag, you’re building trust, approachability, and school spirit from day one.

And here’s the best part: These activities don’t take a huge amount of time or budget. They’re fun, flexible, and designed to work across all your channels—social media, email newsletters, bulletin boards, or even in-person events like Meet the Teacher Night or your first PTO/A meeting.

Want to take that momentum even further?

That’s where FundHub comes in. It’s the 5-star fundraising platform built specifically for school groups like yours—whether you’re planning a Fun Run, Read-Athon, Dance-Athon, or Bubble Bash. With custom student, class, and school webpages, real-time tracking, expert 1-on-1 coaching, and a mobile-friendly parent dashboard, FundHub helps your team run stress-free, high-profit fundraisers.

The post Fun Ways to Introduce Your Parent group appeared first on Get Movin' Fundraising.

Creative Ways to Celebrate Love and Kindness at Your School!

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about candy and cards—it’s a chance to emphasize kindness, gratitude, and togetherness. Schools can use this holiday to teach important values while hosting fun activities that encourage participation from students, teachers, and families.

If your PTO is organizing a fundraiser, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to tie your efforts into the theme of love and kindness. For example, the Valentine Hills PTO’s annual “CARES-athon” combines acts of kindness with a two-week fundraiser. In 2024 they raises over $54,000—far surpassing their $45,000 goal. Their celebration culminated in a fun, active outdoor event for the students. Events like these not only raise funds but also create lasting memories for the entire school!

Whether you’re planning classroom activities, a schoolwide event, or tying Valentine’s Day into a larger fundraising goal, the possibilities are endless. With some thoughtful planning and a touch of creativity, your school can turn Valentine’s Day into a celebration that leaves a lasting impact on students, families, and the entire community. Let’s explore some fun, meaningful, and fundraising-friendly ideas to make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable!

7 Valentine’s Day Event Ideas for Parent Groups

1. Kindness Carnival

Valentine’s Day Kindness Carnival

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to focus on kindness. A “Kindness Carnival” is a fun way to teach students about empathy while helping others. Host it in your school gym, cafeteria, or multipurpose room. It works well as a morning or afternoon event and lasts about two hours. If you want it schoolwide, plan for two to three weeks to get everything ready.

Here are a few simple and meaningful stations to include:

• Valentine Cards: Provide paper, markers, and stickers for students to make cards for nursing home residents or hospital patients.
• Kindness Jars: Give students small jars and paper slips to write compliments or positive notes for their classmates.
• Cookie Decorating: Set out plain cookies, frosting, and sprinkles for kids to decorate. They can keep their cookies or donate them to local shelters or first responders.
• Kindness Tree: Make a large tree outline on poster board. Have students write acts of kindness on paper hearts and add them to the tree.

Ask parent volunteers to help with the stations and donate supplies like cookies and craft materials. Local businesses might also be willing to sponsor or donate items. To keep everything running smoothly, let groups of students rotate through the stations in short time slots. This ensures every student has time to participate without overcrowding the space. A Kindness Carnival is not only fun but also reinforces important values that tie perfectly into the Valentine’s Day theme.

2. Love-Athon: Fun with a Purpose

If your PTO is running a fundraiser, a Love-Athon is a fantastic way to bring energy and excitement to your campaign. To incorporate acts of kindness into your Love-Athon, consider these charitable activities for students:

• Assembling Care Packages: Set up a station where students can fill bags with essentials like toiletries, socks, snacks, and uplifting notes for a local homeless shelter.
• Creating Greeting Cards: Provide craft supplies for students to design Valentine’s Day cards or cheerful notes for residents at nursing homes, children in hospitals, or military service members.
• Food Drive Challenge: Include a station where students sort and organize canned goods and non-perishable items donated by families. These can be delivered to a local food pantry after the event.
• Planting Positivity: Have students decorate small pots and plant flowers or herbs that can be donated to a senior center or community garden.
• Toy or Book Collection: Ask students to bring gently used toys or books to donate to a local children’s charity or foster care.
• Neighborhood Cleanup: Depending on your school’s location, students can spend part of the day cleaning up the schoolyard or nearby park, collecting litter and leaving the area better than they found it.

Valentine Hills PTO set a great example with their “CARES-athon.” Families were encouraged to “show they care” by making donations and participating in acts of kindness, raising over $54,000 and making a tangible impact on their community.

To organize your Love-Athon, schedule activities that students can rotate through in small groups, ensuring every child has time to participate in both the active and charitable components. With thoughtful planning, this event not only raises funds but also reinforces the importance of helping others!

3. Thoughtful Gram Fundraiser: A Better Alternative to Candy Grams

Who doesn’t love receiving a little surprise on Valentine’s Day? While candy grams are a classic tradition, why not try a more unique and inclusive twist that spreads kindness without all the sugar? A “Thoughtful Gram” fundraiser allows students to send personalized messages, small tokens, or experiences to their friends, teachers, and family members in a creative way.

Here are some fresh ideas to replace or complement the traditional candy gram:

• Kindness Grams: Offer beautifully designed cards where students can write uplifting messages. Pair the cards with small, non-candy items like a friendship bracelet, mini eraser, or sticker. These simple tokens are meaningful and perfect for students who may not want candy.
• Plantable Seed Grams: Send a message of growth and love with plantable seed paper hearts. These eco-friendly grams let recipients plant their message and grow flowers or herbs.
• DIY Bookmark Grams: Provide customizable bookmarks that students can decorate and personalize with messages. These are practical, long-lasting, and tie perfectly into reading-related events like an “I Love to Read-Athon.”
• Charity Grams: For every gram purchased, donate a portion of the proceeds to a local charity. You can include a note letting the recipient know a donation was made in their honor. This turns the act of sending a gram into a way to give back.
• Glow Stick Grams: “You make my day brighter!” is the perfect message for a fun, candy-free gram that includes a single glow stick or glow bracelet. These are inexpensive, exciting for kids, and easy to assemble.
• Puzzle Piece Grams: Hand out mini puzzles where each piece has a kindness message. Recipients can assemble them to reveal the full note.

To make your Thoughtful Gram fundraiser seamless, set up a pre-order system where students can choose their gram type and write personalized messages. Offer a pickup or delivery option on Valentine’s Day, with students receiving their grams in class or at a designated location. Not only is this fundraiser a fun and engaging activity, but it also encourages creativity, connection, and kindness—making it a win-win for your school!

5. Valentine’s Day Craft Stations

Get creative with Valentine’s Day craft stations that allow students to make cards, friendship bracelets, or even kindness jars filled with positive affirmations. These activities can be done in classrooms or as part of a larger event.

Using pre-made Valentine craft kits can save time and ensure everyone has the materials they need. Whether the crafts are kept as keepsakes or shared as gifts, this is a fun and engaging way to celebrate the holiday.

6. Family Valentine Movie Night

A family movie night is a fantastic way to bring the whole school community together. Transform your gym or cafeteria into a cozy movie theater with comfortable seating, popcorn, and themed decorations. Choose a family-friendly movie with a Valentine’s or kindness theme, like Paddington 2 or The Peanuts Movie.

7. Heart-to-Heart Dance-Athon: A Valentine’s Day Fundraiser

Turn up the music and the fun with a Valentine’s-themed Dance-Athon fundraiser! This high-energy event combines the excitement of a dance party with the power of fundraising, making it perfect for elementary and middle school students. A Dance-Athon is not only engaging but also a fantastic way to get students moving, involved, and excited to support your school’s PTO.

Host the Dance-Athon in your school gym or cafeteria, transforming it into a Valentine’s dance floor with festive decorations like heart-shaped balloons, string lights, and themed backdrops. Encourage students to dress in festive Valentine’s colors like red, pink, or white to add to the atmosphere.

Include a photo booth with Valentine-themed props for keepsakes and memories. You can find affordable photo booth supplies here. For extra fun, organize dance games like freeze dance, dance battles, or a conga line challenge.

Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity to celebrate love, kindness, and community while supporting your school. Whether you’re hosting a fundraiser, organizing a craft party, or planning a schoolwide event, these ideas are sure to make your celebration a success

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Festive Fundraisers: How to Get into the Season with Your Next Fundraising Event!

The Fall festivities are right around the corner, and we have some great ideas for your next seasonal Fun Run or other Athon event.

These engaging fundraisers will bring in some extra money before the end of the year or even enough to meet your entire Parent Group budget! Plus, these are great opportunities for getting the community involved through local sponsorship.

Whether you’re looking to add some festive flair to your annual fundraiser or you’re planning a fundraising event for the first time, we’re here to help every step (or trot!) of the way.

October Fundraiser Ideas

Monster Dash

Spooky Sprint

Glow Fun Run

Superhero Dash

October is the perfect time to add some spooky fun to your fundraiser! A Monster Dash or other Halloween theme is a silly way to make your Fun Run or other athon fundraiser a part of the spooky celebrations at your school.

• Allow students to dress up in their Halloween costumes for the Fun Run (just make sure masks, shoes, and long costumes don’t get in the way of being active!).
• Play festive music like The Monster Mash, the Ghostbuster’s theme song, and Michael Jackson’s Thriller during the run.
• Serve healthy snacks with a spooky twist for after the run, like halved bananas with chocolate chips for eyes to look like ghosts or broomsticks made from cheese sticks & pretzels.
• Create Halloween-themed incentives, like a classic spooky movie with popcorn for the top-raising classes, or tickets to local Halloween events (Zoo Boo, for example) for your top-raising students.
• Get the principal involved by getting toilet paper and having the students help wrap him up like a mummy for the event!

November Fundraiser Ideas

Turkey Trot

Gobbler Gallop

Color Fun Run

Rake-Athon

Turkey Trots and other Thanksgiving/Fall themed fundraisers are an excellent way to celebrate the season while having fun – and raising BIG funds for your parent group!

• Have students dress up like pilgrims or turkeys on event day. They could even make hats as an art project during school.
• Rent a turkey costume for the principal or gym teacher to wear during the event.
• Create a fundraising incentive for the school. If the fundraising goal is reached, have the principal dress up like a turkey for the event or for a whole day at school afterward.
• Serve apples or cider as a healthy snack for students when the trot is over.
• Since this holiday is all about coming together, make this fundraiser a family event! Encourage moms, dads, brothers, and sisters to join in the fun on the day of the fundraiser – maybe even joining in on the Turkey Trot. Bring a dish to pass, and after the event, everyone can partake in a potluck-style feast!
• Consider having your Fun Run during the second half of the school day or even during the weekend so it doesn’t cut too much into class time.
• Get the community involved by offering restaurants, bakeries, and other food providers exposure and advertising if they give to your fundraiser and bring something for the meal.

The Profitability of Fall Fundraising Events

Fall fundraising events are incredibly profitable and provide an excellent opportunity to raise significant funds before the year’s end. According to a recent study, schools that host fall fundraising events see an average increase in participation and donations by 25% compared to other times of the year. The festive season encourages community involvement and generosity, making it easier to secure local sponsorships and engage more parents. By tapping into the holiday spirit and organizing creative, themed events, your school can boost your donations and achieve a memorable event for families!

Why Choose FundHub for Your Event Fundraisers

FundHub is built for event fundraisers from start to finish, fully customizable for any event type. Our platform offers a range of features designed to simplify the planning of your fundraising events, ensuring maximum participation and profitability. From tracking donations to providing easy-to-use templates for promotional materials, FundHub has everything you need to make your event a success.

Ready to see how FundHub can transform your Fall Fundraiser? Learn more with a free demo!

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How to Plan a Mario-Themed School Fundraiser!

When it comes to school fundraising, creativity and engagement are key. One theme that’s been taking schools by storm is Super Mario – inspired by the recent animated movie and leveraging the iconic world of the beloved video game series. Dive into some awesome examples of schools that have integrated the magic of Mario into their fundraising events with the help of Get Movin’ Fundraising! 

1. Totem Falls Elementary’s Mario Power Walk:

For their 31st Annual Walk-A-Thon Fundraiser, they brought in a touch of Mario magic, aptly named “Way To Go Mario!” This event showcased how classic school events can be revitalized with a fresh, engaging theme.

2. Friedberg Elementary’s Falcon 500:

“Racing for the Future” is the slogan for Friedberg this year as they plan a Racing / Mario Kart themed fundraiser. Beyond the standard race, incentives amped up the engagement with a Mario Kart Racing Party. Notably, the principals are leading by example and donning Mario and Luigi racing gear throughout the day if the students reach $10,000!

3. St. John Vianney’s Super Mario Turkey Trot:

Dividing students into teams named for iconic characters: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Princess Daisy, SJV is bringing competition and boosted donations to their event. Each week presents a new challenge as the teams compete to bring in the most donations. The grand finale is the annual SJV Turkey Trot! Plus, top donors have great themed rewards waiting: Nintendo Switch bundles, bedroom sets, and more are up for grabs, while the top-performing team has the honor of displaying the Super Mario Trophy in the SJV Library. Collecting all six Mario Charms also unlocks a special Super Mario Swag Bag for students!

4. Cornwall Elementary’s CornWalk Adventure:

For their 3rd annual event with Get Movin’, Cornwall is using a Super Mario theme. Their promotional kickoff is an awesome video (watch below). Students received Mario figurines for each $25 donation amount – and they aim to collect them all! The students didn’t just meet their $25k goal; they surpassed it by raising over $27k. It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t Cornwall’s first rodeo—they’ve previously won one of our grants for their fantastic kick-off video. Way to go, Cornwall!

5. Sakamoto Elementary’s Walk-A-Thon:

Capturing the essence of Mario, Sakamoto is telling students to “Let’s-a Go!” and reach their donation goals! Incentives range from Super Mario Temporary Tattoos to Mario pop-up games. Their event is a masterclass in how affordable tangible rewards can drive participation and enthusiasm!

Level Up with Get Movin’!

Mario-themed fundraisers not only add a touch of nostalgic fun for parents, but also drive engagement through creative incentives for students. Schools partnering with Get Movin’ Fundraising often discover the power of merging fun themes with innovative fundraising technology. Ready to embark on your own Mario-themed adventure? Let’s-a Go with Get Movin’!

Tips for Hosting Your Own Mario-Themed School Fundraiser

Taking inspiration from our highlighted schools, here are some practical tips to power up your own Mario-themed school fundraiser:

1. Storyline Incorporation:

Use a storyline from one of the Mario games to guide your fundraising event. For example, you could set a “rescue the princess” quest, where each fundraising milestone gets the school closer to “saving” Princess Peach.

2. Interactive Game Booths:

Create mini-games based on the Mario universe, such as “Bowser’s Castle Obstacle Course” or “Yoshi Egg Toss.” This can add an element of fun and drive more participation.

3. Power-up Rewards:

In the Mario world, power-ups give characters special abilities. Design your incentives similarly. For example, for every milestone achieved, provide students with “power-ups” like extra recess time, no-homework passes, or even a special school event.

4. Dress-up Days:

Like Friedberg Elementary, encourage students (and staff) to dress up as their favorite Mario characters. This not only fosters a festive atmosphere but also builds community spirit.

5. Collaborate with Art Departments:

Utilize the talent within your school. Art classes can create Mario-themed backdrops and props, while music classes can perform Mario soundtracks during the event.

6. Digital Engagement:

Use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube to share themed videos or challenges related to the fundraiser. Cornwall Elementary’s themed video is a fantastic example of this.

7. Set Clear Goals with Mario Milestones:

Just as Cornwall Elementary used mini Mario-themed figurines for different donation amounts, set clear fundraising milestones and rewards. This provides students with tangible goals and ignites their motivation to participate.

8. Embrace the Competition:

Taking a tip from St. John Vianney, consider dividing students into teams or “houses” based on Mario characters. Friendly competition can drive momentum and participation throughout the fundraiser.

Maximizing Your Mario-Themed Fundraiser with Get Movin’s FundHub

Remember, the success of a Mario-themed fundraiser is not just about creativity, but also about efficient management, tracking, and community engagement. While integrating Mario elements brings the fun, Get Movin’s FundHub ensures the functionality:

• Digital Dashboard: With FundHub, monitor your fundraiser’s progress in real-time. Visualize your Mario milestones and see how close you are to “rescuing the princess” with the Activity Tracker or achieving your ultimate goal with individual student donation meters.
• Easy Promotion: Spread the word about your event, share those exciting Mario-themed videos, and engage parents with FundHub’s integrated communication tools.
• Secure Donations: FundHub provides a secure online platform for parents and community members to support your school’s fundraiser with ease, using any payment type they want!
• Customizable Webpages: Customize your fundraiser’s webpage with Mario-themed graphics, videos, and milestones, making it attractive and engaging for donors.
• Engagement Analytics: Understand what’s driving participation. Which classes or grades are most engaged? Use FundHub’s analytics to adjust your strategy on-the-fly.
• Reward Management: Organize and distribute your Mario-themed rewards seamlessly with FundHub’s Incentive Tracker.

With the combined magic of Mario and the efficiency of Get Movin’s FundHub, your school is not just set to embark on a fundraising adventure, but also ready for success! Ready to level up your fundraising game? Choose FundHub and make your Mario-themed event a memorable, profitable hit!

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